Clinical and biochemical factors that affect DPOAE expressions in children with middle ear effusion

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of middle ear effusion (MEE) that affect distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) responsiveness and to investigate the possible role of DPOAE as a tool to know the characteristics of MEE preoperatively. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective analysis of children with MEE effusion in a tertiary referral center. DPOAE results were compared with other audiologic tests, the character, amount of MEE, the amount of total protein, and TNF-α in the effusion. RESULTS: The negative DPOAE with MEE group had much more thick mucous fluid in their middle ears than that of positive DPOAE with MEE group. The levels of total protein and TNF-α in MEE were significantly higher in the negative DPOAE group than those of the positive DPOAE group ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The measurement of DPOAE in the children with MEE may predict the amount and the characteristics of MEE, which may help to decide the treatment methods. © 2007 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.